Hyundai Tucson - ABC Leasing

Car & Driving
The independent definitive Hyundai Tucson video review
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    SEE YOU IN TUCSON?(some text hidden)

    By Jonathan Crouch


    Ten Second Review word count: 41

    Hyundai are aiming high with this fourth generation version of their stylish Tucson, a sharp-suited family mid-sized SUV aimed at the Qashqai-class. We're told it'll 'change the way you drive': it should certainly change this Korean brand's fortunes in this sector.


    Background word count: 140

    In an era where nearly a quarter of all European car buyers are looking at something from the SUV Crossover class, mainstream brands need to take this segment very seriously. Hyundai's doing just that with this car, the Tucson, this being the fourth generation 'NX4'-series model. Hyundai has been offering Crossovers in the mid-sized 'Qashqai'-class SUV 'C'-segment since the first generation 'JM'-series Tucson sold between 2004 and 2009. That contender was replaced by a far more competitive 'LM'-series model, which the brand chose to badge 'ix35' for Europe and which campaigned until the MK3 'TL'-series design made its debut in 2015, before being updated three years later. Very little's been carried over from that MK3 model to this fourth generation one. Can this latest car offer a genuine alternative to the established players in this sector? Time to find out.


    Driving Experience word count: 272

    All Tucsons now use some sort of 1.6 T-GDi petrol engine. In the base model, this features in conventional form with 150PS and ordinary 6-speed manual transmission. Your dealer will urge you though, to find the small extra premium necessary to get this same 150PS engine with the brand's 48V mild hybrid tech and a choice of either advanced 6iMT manual transmission or a 7DCT auto gearbox. Both these variants are fromt driven; you can have 4WD (and standard 7DCT auto transmission) if you get the 1.6 T-GDi mild hybrid engine in 180PS form. If you want a stronger dose of electrification in your Tucson, there are two full-fat Hybrid options, both of which comes as standard with a 6-speed DCT auto gearbox. The first is a self-charging full-Hybrid variant, which is rear-driven and which uses that 1.6 T-GDi engine in 230PS form. Alternatively, you could go for the top Plug-in Hybrid variant, which is 4-Wheel-driven and mates that 1.6 T-GDi engine to a 66.9kW electric motor for a total output of 265PS, yet can offer an all-electric driving range when fully charged of around 38 miles. Four-wheel drive models get a terrain control switch for optimal driving off-road, but obviously on-tarmac dynamics have been prioritised here, though as with the previous model, don't expect particularly involving handling. Customers are being offered a couple of suspension set-ups, with electronically-controlled adaptive dampers optional on high spec variants. These have two profiles, a softer setup for when the car is in its 'Normal' or 'Eco' drive modes. And a firmer one for when the 'Sport' mode is selected, which also firms up the steering.


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    Scoring

    Category: Compact Car

    Performance
    70%
    Handling
    60%
    Comfort
    70%
    Space
    70%
    Styling
    90%
    Build
    70%
    Value
    70%
    Equipment
    70%
    Economy
    70%
    Depreciation
    70%
    Insurance
    70%
    Total
    71%
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